Media claimed that Former Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov is appointed as an adviser of the head of the state-run corporation Rostech

November 15, 2012, 11:35 UTC+3Rostechnologii did not comment on the fact of Serdyukov’s appointment

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It was reported that former Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who was fired for several corruption scandals over the holding Oboronservis, was appointed as an adviser of the state-run corporation Rostechnologii Sergei Chemezov, the Kommersant daily reported.

The newspaper reported that at first the new job for Anatoly Serdyukov was discussed in the Kremlin. “The proposal was made by Sergei Ivanov (the head of the Russian presidential administration), Sergei Chemezov agreed with it, and Vladimir Putin approved it,” a Kremlin source told the newspaper. Rostechnologii did not comment on the fact of Serdyukov’s appointment.

Rostechnologii has for a long time the group of advisers, which member of the Rostechnologii board Oleg Chernov heads. The lieutenant-general of the Federal Security Service, the former deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, is considered as one of the most influential Rostechnologii top managers. He is coordinating the activities of the advisers of the general director that are usually personal friends of Sergei Chemezov or influential officials in the past.

The newspaper noted that Anatoly Serdyukov and Sergei Chemezov had numerous working conflicts in the past. A source close to the Russian presidential administration noted that one of these conflicts became the story with the purchase of the helicopter carriers Mistral in June 2011.

The state-owned corporation did not confirm officially the information about Serdyukov’s appointment to the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily. “Whether it is so or not, this is only Chemezov who should state about it, because the adviser is his personal appointee. Let’s wait, you will learn everything tomorrow. What is surprising you? Anatoly Eduardovich Serdyukov, the former defence minister, has worked for a long time in Rostechnologii as the chairman of the Advisory Council. He is aware of our problems,” Rostechnologii stated.

A source of the newspaper in Rostechnologii was even surprised by the news report about Serdyukov’s appointment, “To my mind, this news report is just a skilfully launched trial balloon to check the public opinion. If people are indignant, the decision over his appointment can be cancelled, if they are not discontent, he can be appointed. Moreover, the adviser is some kind of sinecure. He actually does not take any decisions. He just gives some recommendations.”